Improvement in machines for spreading lime and other fertilizers



P. SEYMOUR.

Fertilizer. No. 18,774. Patented Dec. 1, 1857,

N-PETERS, PHOTO LITHQGRAPHER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PIERPONT SEYMOUR, OF EAST BLOOMFIELD, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR SPREADING LIME AND OTHER FERTILIZERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 18,774, dated December1, 1857.

To all 10710? it may concern:

Be it known that I, Prnnron'r SEYMOUR, of East Bloomfield, in the countyof Ontario and State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Machines for Spreading Lime, Guano, and otherFertilizers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the method of distributing thesubstance used and crushing the lumps which it may contain; and also insecuring a regular and constant feeding or supply from all parts of thebox to the point of discharge, and in regulating and controlling thequantity distributed per acre.

To enable others to make and use my invention I will proceed to describeits construction and operation.

To an axle mounted on wheels I attach a pair of shafts, A, Figure 1,(which is a perspective view of my machine.) The box B, for containingthe fertilizing substance, is attached to these shafts, either to theunder side or otherwise, as may be deemed best; or it may, with itsappurtenances, be attached to the frame of a field-roller, either infront or in the rear of the same, and made to spread anyfinely-pulverized fertilizing material while rolling the land. The boxis so formed that the bottom or under side, 0, Fig. 2, which is avertical section of the same, slopes downward to the dis charge-opening6, while the rear side forms an angle with its inclination, which may bemore or less acute. The more acute the more effectual and rapid will bethe operation of crushing the lumps, if there be any. To the lower boardof the box, 0, I attach a series of metal plates, (7, Fig.3, by pivots,which admit of their turning to a slight extent. These plates extendfrom the elevated side of the inclined bottom through thedischarge-opening c, Fig. 2, and are pivoted to the bar F, Figs. 1,2,and 3. To this bar a lever, Gr, Fig. 1, is attached, which has a centerbearing on the side of the axle, and is connected at its upper end, bythe rod h, with the oscillating lever I, to which motion is imparted bythe eccentric or cam wheel J on the hub of the spoke-wheel. By thismeans a quick vibratory motion is imparted to the rod F and to the endof the plates 01, connected therewith, as indicated by the dotted lines,Fig. 3. The effect of this vibrating motion of the plates is to feed thefertilizing material to the discharge-opening and to pulverize any lumpswhich it may contain, in both which it is aided by the weight ofthemass, which is constantly pressing down upon them,and also to producean equal distribution as it passes from the box. Various devices havebeen employed to produce these results, but none have so effectuallysucceeded as the method I employ. The series of plates extend over theentire width of the inclined plane which forms the bottom of the box,and act on the whole extent of material presented to that surface by thecombined action of gravitation and trimration.

The amount of the material distributed is regulated by the extent of thedischarge-opcning 0, Fig. 2. This is varied by means of a gage-board, i,Fig. 2,which is movable up and down in a reeess,j, in the rear portionof the box. The two ends project through the ends of the box, and areattached each to a lever, K, Fig. 4, which has the bolt l as a fulcrum,and is held in position by the set-screw m, which moves in a slot in theend of the box. By raising or lowering these levers the width of thedischarge-opening can be graduated at pleasure, so as to be capable ofdistributing any desired amount-from twenty-five pounds to two thousandfive hundred pounds-per acre. It is necessary that the edge of thegage-board be always parallel to the bottom board to insure equalsowing, which may be determined by ascale on the ends of the boxunderneath the levers, or the two may be set alike by using a gage. Thefeed is also varied by increasing or decreasing the vibrating motion ofthe plates, which is done by changing the fulcrum of the lever G bymeans of holes provided for that purpose. This is necessary from thefact that when the material used is damp it requires am uch greateraction of the distributing-plates than when dry.

The distributing-box may be attached to grain-drills andbroadcastseed-sowers, and will spread the fertilizer at the time ofsowing the seed. When attached to a grain-drill it may be so placed asto discharge the fertilizer into the drill-tubes, from which it willpass with the grain into the ground; or it may be so placed as to spreadit on the ground, either in front of the drill-teeth, so that it will beharrowed in by them, or in the rear of them,when it will remain on thesurface. It is particularly adapted to guano and plaster, whichfrequentlyforminlumps,from becomingdamp,thc grinding effect being suchthat even the charcoal contained in wood-ashes passes through themachine perfectly comminuted.

I do not claim the use of the levers, rods, or eccentric or zigzagwheels whereby I com municate motion from the carriage-wheel to thedistributing-works, as such devices are well known and in use forvarious purposes; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The combination and arrangement ofa series of vibrating plates ordistributers, (I, attached to and working upon the face of an inclinedplane or distributingsurface, (J, by means of the rod F, or anyequivalent connection that will give the required motion to one end ofsaid plates while another portion is stationary upon the board or plane,substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

PIERPON '1 SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

JOSIAH PORTER, FLAVEL GAYLoRp.

